Letter: Who will stand up for gamblers?

Wednesday

May 28, 2014 at 1:04 AM

Greed and more greed. With talk by legislators on expanding gambling, who is willing to make it fairer for the gamblers?

Most casinos nationwide have really tightened their machines, which, as a retired person, I have witnessed in many casinos. Today, if you inserted $10 into a penny machine, you most likely would get one or two winning spins before your $10 is gone. How about a return of one penny on a $.80 bet?

Don’t talk about bonuses; they have almost disappeared. If you do get a bonus, it is not unusual with eight or 10 free spins to not win one penny.

Years ago, Congress passed a law forbidding “almost bonus” wins — for example, two bonus symbols appear, with a required third in view, but not in effective range. Is that law being ignored? Worse, a number of machines now require five symbols for a bonus.

We can’t expect help from the state gaming commission; it appears to be tied to big business. The state won’t do anything, as its coffers are increased. Who do gamblers turn to for help?

If gaming commissioners won’t get out of their chairs to see how casinos operate in real time, perhaps it is time for gamblers to take action. For example, select a day to not patronize any slot machine, or from 8 a.m. until 8 p.m. play only table games. Casinos would continue to operate, but they would feel the pinch.

To the do-gooders preaching against gambling, no preaching or legislation will ever stop it. Gamblers will continue to gamble, knowing the odds are against them. We just ask for a fair chance. If you agree with fairness for gamblers, let your feelings be known to the powers that be.